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United States Patent | 6,070,546 |
Downey ,   et al. | June 6, 2000 |
The invention provides a flotation device for a snowmobile including a plurality of preferably self-contained air bag modules having inflatable bladders affixed to the exterior of a snowmobile and adapted to inflate when a water detection device such as a float sensor is exposed to water. The inflated bladders supply sufficient buoyancy to maintain the snowmobile afloat and stable, and in the preferred embodiment are configured to provide an escape means for the occupants of the snowmobile who can use the bladder as a buoyant platform to escape to solid ice.
Inventors: | Downey; Hugh (147 Cook Street, Barrie, Ontario, CA); Polon; Jay (268 Ridley Blvd., Suite 214, Toronto, Ontario, CA); Morrison; Max E. (R.R. #5, Simcoe, Ontario, CA) |
Appl. No.: | 203398 |
Filed: | December 2, 1998 |
Dec 02, 1997[CA] | 2223312 |
Current U.S. Class: | 114/123; 114/68 |
Intern'l Class: | B63B 043/14 |
Field of Search: | 114/61,123,68,360,361,270 |
3092853 | Jun., 1963 | Owen. | |
3340842 | Sep., 1967 | Winslow. | |
3797435 | Mar., 1974 | Dunson | 114/68. |
4864961 | Sep., 1989 | Slonski | 114/360. |
4887541 | Dec., 1989 | Rodemann | 114/68. |
4893692 | Jan., 1990 | Smith | 180/190. |
5113779 | May., 1992 | Amrein et al. | 114/68. |
5150662 | Sep., 1992 | Boyd et al. | 114/68. |
5515802 | May., 1996 | Bree | 114/123. |
5682832 | Nov., 1997 | Millard | 114/123. |